Spontaneous resolution of nonimmune hydrops fetalis secondary to human parvovirus B19 infection

Many instances of nonimmune hydrops fetalis ascribed to human parvovirus B19 have been reported. The leading proposed pathophysiologic mechanism of hydrops in affected fetuses is viral invasion of red blood cell progenitors, causing a profound reticulocytopenic fetal anemia. Although the natural history of fetal parvovirus infection remains to be elucidated fully, there have been recent reports of funipuncuture and intrauterine blood transfusions to diagnose and manage this problem. We report two pregnancies in which parvovirus-related hydrops fetalis was observed to resolve without intervention, followed by uncomplicated vaginal deliveries of healthy infants. These observations emphasize the need for further investigation before recommending routine fetal blood transfusion in affected cases.